Bones

[mdkel]

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Hey there,

What type of bones are safer for zappa (9month old, 20kg doggo)??

I bought half a ham bone from Alpha spirit, but a friend told me that a dried bone is not safe for him , only to a dog that has experience with bones....

 

[arealhuman]

Interesting question. My limited understanding is that offering uncooked bones is the important thing, I didn't know there were differences between types of animal bones (other than size). An expert will be along shortly!

 

[Josie]

I've always been told not to give cooked bones but then you can buy the big beef bones in pet shops... so it's very confusing!

I have brought Dennis these big cooked bones in the past (from a pet shop) and he's always been sick afterwards so now I never touch them.

Like @arealhuman said, our experts will here soon

 

[Violet Turner]

You can give uncooked but never cooked ! If you have a local butchers pop in and ask for any spare bones, they may give them for free... Just always make sure its raw and not cooked...

 

[JudyN]

I've just had a look on their website and it's a bit contradictory. They say 'Please note: This hollow chew bone is designed for gnawing on between meals and is not suitable for eating whole. Swallowed pieces of bone can collect in your dog's stomach and can lead to severe constipation, while sharp bone splinters can cause damage to the stomach lining' (Alpha Spirit Half Ham Bone Dog Chew | Free P&P £29+), but the reviews mostly say that their dogs ate the whole thing. And let's face it, if a dog can eat it, why wouldn't he?

If it were me, I might go on the principle that they must have sold loads of these without complaints, and that my dog has eaten all sorts of things he shouldn't and survived. So (if I didn't have a guarder) I'd probably give it to my dog, watch like a hawk, and take it away (distracting if needed) if he seemed to be getting bits off it. But you might prefer to avoid any risk at all.

You can get roasted bones which are also supposed to be safe but tend to be so hard they can damage dogs' teeth.

 

[JoanneF]

@excuseme, @JudyN
do you have any pointers on whether to use leg bones (as loadbearing bones) or ribs and neck bones? I have gone for non-loadbearing as T isn't a great chewer but I have also read about people giving knuckle bones which I assume are from a leg. Just interested in your input.

 

[mdkel]

I'm interested in this because of zappa chewing obsession. I bought 2 "undestructibale" toys this weekend and... well ... I think I need a refund

I'd like to give a bone so that he can chew on, but don't know what to do...

And, by the way, he's getting a bit aggressive, while playing with his friends (they wont play with him anymore if he bites, only when running and very soft bitting), and when I tell him NO, he talks back and does a semi-bite thing (snaping). He never did this before, and I'm getting worried

 

[Violet Turner]

I'm interested in this because of zappa chewing obsession. I bought 2 "undestructibale" toys this weekend and... well ... I think I need a refund

I'd like to give a bone so that he can chew on, but don't know what to do...

And, by the way, he's getting a bit aggressive, while playing with his friends (they wont play with him anymore if he bites, only when running and very soft bitting), and when I tell him NO, he talks back and does a semi-bite thing (snaping). He never did this before, and I'm getting worried

Oh, dear. I can suggest that you speak to a dog phycologist/trainer. A lambs leg can be great, if you have a butchers go to them and ask there about dog bones they will give you a bone that is reasonable size for your pup.

 

[JoanneF]

And, by the way, he's getting a bit aggressive, while playing with his friends (they wont play with him anymore if he bites, only when running and very soft bitting), and when I tell him NO, he talks back and does a semi-bite thing (snaping). He never did this before, and I'm getting worried

I'm not sure you need a behaviourist, but he is in a teenage phase and likely just throwing his weight around. Not that that excuses the behaviour - it really isn't good manners to play like that. Add to the fact he will be losing his puppy license - the tolerance many dogs have for youngsters - and it could develop into something unpleasant; either a fight or longer term a bullying habit. And you definitely don't want either of these. So yes, you need to intervene. If his play is like this from the get go, keep him on a lead or even a long line and encourage calm walking with other dogs. If his play starts ok, but develops into aggressive play, intervene before it reaches that stage. Encourage appropriate play such as with a ball or frisbee as an alternative.

 

[Violet Turner]

I'm not sure you need a behaviourist, but he is in a teenage phase and likely just throwing his weight around. Not that that excuses the behaviour - it really isn't good manners to play like that. Add to the fact he will be losing his puppy license - the tolerance many dogs have for youngsters - and it could develop into something unpleasant; either a fight or longer term a bullying habit. And you definitely don't want either of these. So yes, you need to intervene. If his play is like this from the get go, keep him on a lead or even a long line and encourage calm walking with other dogs. If his play starts ok, but develops into aggressive play, intervene before it reaches that stage. Encourage appropriate play such as with a ball or frisbee as an alternative.

okay i take back what i said

 

[mdkel]

okay i take back what i said

??? why???

He des rough play a little, I stop it when I see the other dogs try to get away from im, but 2 min after that, the other 2 dogs go to him.... if he runs, they run and bite him, if he starts biting them, they stop playing lol

I'm just affraid this evolves to more serious issues. Or is it just being a puppy? today was the first day I saw him grawling seriously (to an older, bigger dog behind a fence that was barking at him), he usually steps away from dogs that bar and/or grawl

 

[mdkel]

I'm not sure you need a behaviourist, but he is in a teenage phase and likely just throwing his weight around. Not that that excuses the behaviour - it really isn't good manners to play like that. Add to the fact he will be losing his puppy license - the tolerance many dogs have for youngsters - and it could develop into something unpleasant; either a fight or longer term a bullying habit. And you definitely don't want either of these. So yes, you need to intervene. If his play is like this from the get go, keep him on a lead or even a long line and encourage calm walking with other dogs. If his play starts ok, but develops into aggressive play, intervene before it reaches that stage. Encourage appropriate play such as with a ball or frisbee as an alternative.

Do you think talking back is bad behaviour? We find it funny, the semi-biting/snaping is different, he "bites the air", but if he touches my hand he stops and licks it. I taught him bite innibition (not perfect, he still bites softly 1 or 2 times on skin, and then licks it), he does bite our clothes (not very hard, only 2 out of 100 hurt, and just a little bit, and he has very powerful bite) mostly when we get home, and he bites my pants and walks me to the kitchen if I say no, or pull him out of the clothes, he doesn't talk back nor bites...

 

[mdkel]

Oh, and sometimes, when he is doing something he can't, like licking a wound, I say "NO", and he talks back then starts to bite his own foot (very softly, but still).... should I give him a treat after the NO if he stops what his doing?

 

[JudyN]

What JoanneF said about the rough play. I wouldn't tell him 'NO!' because it'll just get him more worked up - find the easiest way of ending the play and separating him from the other dogs, and calmly do this every time he oversteps the mark.

I'm not an expert on weight-bearing bones as Jasper (a) guards them and (b) isn't great at digesting dense bones. Some people don't give them because of the danger of damaging teeth. But I think knuckle bones are softer than leg bones, and plenty of people do give them. It could be well worth any theoretical risk for a hard-chewing pup.

 

[JudyN]

Sorry, cross-posted - I avoid saying 'NO!' as much as possible partly because J struggled with confrontation and partly because it simply never worked! Try, for instance, recalling him from the 'naughty' thing he's doing and then rewarding. If he does 'talk back' but does what you've asked, I'd praise and treat him. Even if it does reinforce the 'talking back' it won't (on its own) cause him to 'talk back' more forcibly and involve his teeth more.

I think if you can ask him to stop licking a wound and he stops, then as long as it's the equivalent of a 'Please don't do that' followed by a reward that's fine - it's when it's a scary, angry 'NO' (or one that he sees as scary and angry) that can be problematic, particularly in an adolescent who's beginning to stretch his muscles and work out where the boundaries are and if he can push them...

 

[mdkel]

Sorry, cross-posted - I avoid saying 'NO!' as much as possible partly because J struggled with confrontation and partly because it simply never worked! Try, for instance, recalling him from the 'naughty' thing he's doing and then rewarding. If he does 'talk back' but does what you've asked, I'd praise and treat him. Even if it does reinforce the 'talking back' it won't (on its own) cause him to 'talk back' more forcibly and involve his teeth more.

I think if you can ask him to stop licking a wound and he stops, then as long as it's the equivalent of a 'Please don't do that' followed by a reward that's fine - it's when it's a scary, angry 'NO' (or one that he sees as scary and angry) that can be problematic, particularly in an adolescent who's beginning to stretch his muscles and work out where the boundaries are and if he can push them...

I think zappa does not like confrontation either. I say NO, he talks back but stops, I've never though of giving a treat (dont know why though).. I try my best to never talk too loud, or angry, my NO is just a firm NO, with a different tone of voice just so he know it's different from every other no he hears around the hous or on the street.

The talking back is just a few bauauauau moving his head back and then stops the behaviour or bites his legs and whines 1 or 2 secs. a few times he trys to do it again, another NO, another bauauauau and stops lol (sorry , just trying to put a mental image here).

He's very cautious of new people, do you think this is bad? He doesnt run from them, but if he met you, he wouldnt let you touch him for a very good time. I have a friend he's met before, and only after 3 or 4 visits that zappa let him pet his back... I see it as being ccautious, a lot of people have told me is not fear just being shy/cautious. but what do yiu think?


PS: I know, I like to talk about dogs, especially zappa

 

[JudyN]

He's very cautious of new people, do you think this is bad? He doesnt run from them, but if he met you, he wouldnt let you touch him for a very good time. I have a friend he's met before, and only after 3 or 4 visits that zappa let him pet his back... I see it as being ccautious, a lot of people have told me is not fear just being shy/cautious. but what do yiu think?

I would guess he's just naturally reserved - he's not a touchy-feely dog. But if people insist on petting him when he doesn't really enjoy it, he could become more shy/cautious, then fearful, and possibly even get snappy. If everyone who you met on a walk gave you a quick fondle... well you get the picture!

I would tell everyone that he doesn't like being touched/petted, and ask them not to touch him unless he approaches them. Then they could give him a quick rub on the neck or chest (often dogs hate hands over the head) and leave it at that unless he clearly requests more. It shouldn't be about him letting people pet him, he should want it. You'll probably have to be firm - a lot of people expect all dogs to be like labs and spaniels and have no clue of the doggy body language that shows he's only tolerating being touched.

PS: I know, I like to talk about dogs, especially zappa

Oh, I'm just the same! I spend far too long talking dog!

 

[JoanneF]

I'm just affraid this evolves to more serious issues.

This is a possibility and that is why you need to intervene. At the moment he is a stroppy teenager, you don't want him becoming a bully for exactly the reason you fear.

 

[mdkel]

I would guess he's just naturally reserved - he's not a touchy-feely dog. But if people insist on petting him when he doesn't really enjoy it, he could become more shy/cautious, then fearful, and possibly even get snappy. If everyone who you met on a walk gave you a quick fondle... well you get the picture!

I would tell everyone that he doesn't like being touched/petted, and ask them not to touch him unless he approaches them. Then they could give him a quick rub on the neck or chest (often dogs hate hands over the head) and leave it at that unless he clearly requests more. It shouldn't be about him letting people pet him, he should want it. You'll probably have to be firm - a lot of people expect all dogs to be like labs and spaniels and have no clue of the doggy body language that shows he's only tolerating being touched.




I do that, I always tell people he's very shy (I dont want to hurt his feelings ) and that it needs to come from him. You may not believe me (I think you do) but he's been with me for about 4/5 months, and only this 2 or 3 weeks has he been cuddling or asking to be petted... since his first day, he never peed in places h couldnt, he never didanything "bad", he's just very very active and playful, but he has been very good at home (and in the street) since day one...

People are usually worse than dogs, We have a tiny dog park near here, but almostevery day there's a huge overweight pitbull there that just humps evry dog he can, I never saw him barking or being aggressive, but he humps every dog every time, its super annoying and dangerous...

 

[mdkel]

This is a possibility and that is why you need to intervene. At the moment he is a stroppy teenager, you don't want him becoming a bully for exactly the reason you fear.

Ok, I'll start to intervene sooner then. Usually when the dogs show they wont play like that, he trys to continue for a few seconds (20 maybe) and then stops, looks at them confused, and starts doing another thing, but then his dogfriend goes and plays with him, maybe he's "learning" that sometimes being too rough gets him no play at all? I''m starting to see that with his female dog friend, he usually does not play as rough with her as he plays with the male...